US5159274A - Device and methods for measuring the quality of contact between two electrical conductors - Google Patents

Device and methods for measuring the quality of contact between two electrical conductors Download PDF

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Publication number
US5159274A
US5159274A US07/659,085 US65908591A US5159274A US 5159274 A US5159274 A US 5159274A US 65908591 A US65908591 A US 65908591A US 5159274 A US5159274 A US 5159274A
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United States
Prior art keywords
conductors
frame
elements
pins
axes
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Expired - Fee Related
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US07/659,085
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English (en)
Inventor
George Lieux
Jean Aubert
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Arkema France SA
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Atochem SA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
    • G01R19/10—Measuring sum, difference or ratio
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/60—Connections between or with tubular conductors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00—Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02—General constructional details
    • G01R1/06—Measuring leads; Measuring probes
    • G01R1/067—Measuring probes
    • G01R1/06705—Apparatus for holding or moving single probes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R27/00—Arrangements for measuring resistance, reactance, impedance, or electric characteristics derived therefrom
    • G01R27/02—Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
    • G01R27/20—Measuring earth resistance; Measuring contact resistance, e.g. of earth connections, e.g. plates
    • G01R27/205—Measuring contact resistance of connections, e.g. of earth connections
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/50—Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections
    • G01R31/66—Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device and methods for measuring the quality of contact between two electrical conductors.
  • the invention is useful for quickly measuring the quality of electrical contact between assemblies of different electrically conductive metals, especially in certain chemoelectrical reactions where the electrical connections in question are not readily visible or otherwise accessible.
  • the industrial production of chlorine and of sodium bicarbonate is described in KIRK OTHMER (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 1, pages 806 et seq., 3rd edition, John Wiley).
  • the anodes comprise titanium wire grids which can reach one meter by three meters and which are reinforced by rods and crosspieces made of titanium soldered onto these grids in order to keep them perfectly planar. Screwed onto these crosspieces are copper rods which ensure the electrical junction with the rest of the electrolysis electrical circuit and also permit these anodes to be held in the sodium chloride solution several millimeters above the mercury.
  • the junction between the copper rods and the titanium crosspieces is submerged in the sodium chloride solution; in addition, above this solution there is the chlorine which has formed on the surface of the titanium anodes. It is thus impossible to gain access to the copper-titanium junction to inspect the quality thereof.
  • the applicants have provided a device and methods which permits the quality of contact between the two inaccessible electrically conductive elements to be tested. Moreover, such testing is performed using a current strength similar to that which is going to pass through the contact during real functioning.
  • the measuring device comprises a frame formed of electrically insulating material and adapted to be placed in a measuring position relative to a pair of electrical conductors.
  • Two electrically conductive elements e.g., clips, are mounted on the frame and are adapted to be electrically connected to a current generator.
  • a first holding mechanism is provided for holding the elements in electrical contact with respective ones of the conductors when the frame is in its measuring position, in order to create a current flow between the conductors when the elements are connected to the current generator.
  • Two electrically conductive pins are mounted on the frame.
  • a second holding mechanism is provided for holding the pins in electrical contact with respective ones of the conductors at locations in the electrical circuit disposed between the two elements.
  • An instrument is provided for measuring the difference in potential between the pins.
  • the device permits the voltage drop to be measured between two points of an electrical circuit comprising the two conductors and, more particularly, the voltage drop caused by their contacting. Since the resistance of each conductor is known, the resistance of their contact is deduce
  • the two conductors can be identical or different.
  • the conductive clips have the function of bringing the current to each conductor.
  • the fixing means can be electromagnetic systems, actuators or any other system permitting the clip to be fixed to the conductors. Since each clip is connected to the terminals of a current generator, a circuit between the conductors and generator is established. The real operation of the two conductors and at real current strength can thus be simulated, and the contact resistance of the conductors can be measured.
  • the two pins come into abutment against each conductor, either by means of fluid actuators or by electromagnetic devices or any equivalent means.
  • the device can be used to measure the resistance of all assemblies such as electrodes (cathodes or anodes).
  • the device can be used to measure a plurality of contact resistances in series. For example, for the copper/titanium assemblies of the anodes which are useful in the mercury electrolysis process, it is simpler to measure them in groups of two in series.
  • the clips are metallic, of essentially semi-cylindrical shape and are arranged so as to become fixed on two cylindrical conductors under the effect of an actuator.
  • the mount and the clips are arranged in such a way that they fit onto two parallel conductors.
  • the pins fit against the conductors under the effect of an actuator.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a measuring device according to the present invention situated above a pair of electrical conductors;
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the measuring device depicted in FIG. 1 after the device has been lowered onto the conductors, and after a clip element has been displaced into electrical connection with one of the conductors;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit created after the clip elements and a pair of electrically conductive pins have been moved into electrical contact with the two conductors.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a preferred embodiment of a measuring device 14 according to the invention for measuring the circuit resistance between two cylindrical and parallel conductors A, B.
  • the device is described in conjunction with its use for measuring a circuit composed of two conductors in the form of parallel cylindrical copper rods 9, 9' screwed into a titanium crosspiece 10 which carries a titanium wire 11. Those elements are part of an anode for an electrolysis process.
  • the measuring device 14 comprises a frame 1 made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic material, which serves as support for various electrically conductive elements of the measuring device 14.
  • This frame includes two hollow cylinders 2, 2' also made of electrically insulating material, which permit the apparatus to slide along the two cylindrical copper rods of the metallic anode, the anode being formed by the rods 9, 9', the titanium crosspieces 10, and the titanium wire grid 11.
  • Two electrically conductive elements in the form of metallic clips, 3, 3' made of copper, are attached to the frame 1 by two pneumatic actuators 4 which move the clips horizontally (only one actuator depicted).
  • the clips are preferably semi-cylindrical in shape because they abut against the copper cylindrical rods 9, 9' of the anodes when moved theretoward by the actuators 4.
  • Two electrical conductors 5, preferably made of copper, are connected to one of the poles of an electrical current generator 22 (FIG. 3), which may generate, for example, a direct current of several thousand amperes, with a potential difference of several volts.
  • the other clip is connected to the other pole by a conductor 5'.
  • the frame 1 includes a plate 15.
  • Two metallic pins 6, 6' are mounted on the frame 1 by means of a pair of pneumatic actuators 7, 7' which are mounted to the plate 15. Those actuators 7, 7' move the pins horizontally at locations below the clips 3, 3'.
  • Each of the hollow cylinders 2, 2' is provided with a hole 20 aligned with the respective pin. Under the action of these actuators 7, 7', these contact with the electrical circuit immediately upstream and downstream, respectively, of the part of the circuit where it is desired to measure the drop in potential, e.g., at the locations 16, 16' where the copper rods 9, 9' are joined to the crosspiece 10.
  • a voltmeter 24 having a digital display with an accuracy of 0.1 mV is connected to the two metallic pins 6, 6' by wires, respectively.
  • the frame 1 can be suspended from a bracket (not shown) by a vertical displacement cable 8 mounted on a horizontal displacement slide 17.
  • a high degree of maneuverability for the measuring device 14 is thus obtained when a large number of repetitive measurements are to be carried out on the metallic anodes.
  • this deice 14 is for measuring the drop in electrical potential between the various metallic pieces comprising the anodes for the electrolysis of sodium chloride brine.
  • the number of applications is not restricted to this one example, however.
  • the metallic anodes are composed of the pieces 10 of titanium joined together by soldering.
  • the copper rods 9, 9' of cylindrical shape are screwed to these titanium pieces 10.
  • the device 14 is fitted onto the copper rods 9, 9' of the anode by simply sliding the cylinders 2, 2' over the ends of the rods 9, 9'.
  • the two semi-cylindrical metal clips, made of copper, are forced against the copper rods under the control of the two horizontally moving pneumatic actuators 4, 4' and the pins 6, 6' are inserted through the holes 20 by the actuators 7, 7' into electrical contact with the rods 9, 9'.
  • the clips 3, 3' thus also serve to attach the device 14 to the rod conductors 9, 9'.
  • the two copper clips are connected electrically by wires 5, 5' to the direct current generator 22, causing a direct current (for example 2000 A at 4 volts) to pass through the circuit between the Cu rods and titanium pieces, the current being comparable in current density to that used during the electrolysis of NaCl brine.
  • a direct current for example 2000 A at 4 volts
  • the two pins 6, 6' are placed in abutment with the copper rods at two chosen points located upstream and downstream, respectively, of the Cu-Ti contacts 16, 16'.
  • the drop in potential between those chosen points is measured by simply reading the voltmeter connected to the pins 6, 6' by wires 12, 13.
  • the measured value of the drop in voltage can be displayed on a digital screen. Due to previous calibration, it is easy to determine therefrom the quality of the Cu-Ti electrical contacts. Since the resistances of the conductors are known, the resistance of their electrical connection can be deduced from the measured voltage drop. The lower the measured value of voltage drop (approximately 5 to 10 mV in the case in question), the better the electrical contact between copper and titanium at connections 16, 16'.
  • a voltage drop value higher than 20 mV permits an electrical contact of bad quality to be immediately detected which would require repair before a new test.
  • the measuring device 14 permits a very rapid measurement of the drop in potential to be made by simply reading off the millivoltmeter; this permits the electrical current to be fed into the circuit only when measuring, i.e., for a very short period. Thus, any heating up of the electrical circuits is avoided; the consumption of electrical current is reduced; and a large number of measurements can be carried out in a short time.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
  • Testing Of Short-Circuits, Discontinuities, Leakage, Or Incorrect Line Connections (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Resistance Or Impedance (AREA)
  • Measuring Leads Or Probes (AREA)
US07/659,085 1990-02-27 1991-02-22 Device and methods for measuring the quality of contact between two electrical conductors Expired - Fee Related US5159274A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9002419A FR2658919B1 (fr) 1990-02-27 1990-02-27 Dispositif pour mesurer la qualite du contact entre deux elements conducteurs de l'electricite.
FR9002419 1990-02-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5159274A true US5159274A (en) 1992-10-27

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Family Applications (1)

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US07/659,085 Expired - Fee Related US5159274A (en) 1990-02-27 1991-02-22 Device and methods for measuring the quality of contact between two electrical conductors

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US5159274A (pt)
EP (1) EP0448419A1 (pt)
JP (1) JPH06103332B2 (pt)
KR (1) KR910021590A (pt)
CA (1) CA2037112A1 (pt)
FI (1) FI910934A (pt)
FR (1) FR2658919B1 (pt)
IE (1) IE910653A1 (pt)
NO (1) NO910752L (pt)
PT (1) PT96892A (pt)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5568054A (en) * 1992-07-31 1996-10-22 Tokyo Electron Limited Probe apparatus having burn-in test function
US5721688A (en) * 1996-09-06 1998-02-24 Madill Technologies, Inc. Apparatus and method for electrical system measurements including battery condition, resistance of wires and connections, total electrical system quality and current flow
DE19847821A1 (de) * 1998-10-16 2000-05-04 Framatome Connectors Int Modulrahmen für Geräte zum Prüfen von mit Steckern versehenen Leitungen oder dergleichen
US20070080695A1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-12 Morrell Gary A Testing system and method for a MEMS sensor
US20070102022A1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2007-05-10 Novellus Systems, Inc. Active rinse shield for electrofill chemical bath and method of use
CN103353540A (zh) * 2013-06-27 2013-10-16 国家电网公司 一种用于测试光伏汇流箱测量板模块的测试装置
USD768097S1 (en) * 2015-10-20 2016-10-04 LWE, Inc. Insulator for press pack clamp
CN107894520A (zh) * 2018-01-20 2018-04-10 宣城市飞诚环保科技有限公司 一种电能质量检测装置
CN108398580A (zh) * 2018-01-20 2018-08-14 广州唐太环保科技有限公司 一种改进型电能质量检测装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108760819B (zh) * 2018-05-22 2020-08-18 广州兴森快捷电路科技有限公司 焊接质量检测装置及其检测方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2954521A (en) * 1958-04-23 1960-09-27 Technical Electronics Corp Air-actuated electrical contact probe
DE2352430A1 (de) * 1973-10-19 1975-09-04 Bergner Fa R Elektrische klemme mit einem klemmenkoerper zur verklemmung mindestens eines, insbesondere rohrfoermigen leiters
US3996514A (en) * 1975-11-21 1976-12-07 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Circuit board contact resistance probe
US4829235A (en) * 1987-04-01 1989-05-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Four-terminal connector for measuring resistance of a pyrotechnic initiator
US4888546A (en) * 1989-03-10 1989-12-19 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Device for measuring seam resistance

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2954521A (en) * 1958-04-23 1960-09-27 Technical Electronics Corp Air-actuated electrical contact probe
DE2352430A1 (de) * 1973-10-19 1975-09-04 Bergner Fa R Elektrische klemme mit einem klemmenkoerper zur verklemmung mindestens eines, insbesondere rohrfoermigen leiters
US3996514A (en) * 1975-11-21 1976-12-07 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Circuit board contact resistance probe
US4829235A (en) * 1987-04-01 1989-05-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Four-terminal connector for measuring resistance of a pyrotechnic initiator
US4888546A (en) * 1989-03-10 1989-12-19 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Device for measuring seam resistance

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5568054A (en) * 1992-07-31 1996-10-22 Tokyo Electron Limited Probe apparatus having burn-in test function
US6097193A (en) * 1995-09-08 2000-08-01 Madill Technologies, Inc. Vehicle starting battery cold-cranking AMPS meter and method
US5721688A (en) * 1996-09-06 1998-02-24 Madill Technologies, Inc. Apparatus and method for electrical system measurements including battery condition, resistance of wires and connections, total electrical system quality and current flow
DE19847821A1 (de) * 1998-10-16 2000-05-04 Framatome Connectors Int Modulrahmen für Geräte zum Prüfen von mit Steckern versehenen Leitungen oder dergleichen
US20070102022A1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2007-05-10 Novellus Systems, Inc. Active rinse shield for electrofill chemical bath and method of use
US7413616B2 (en) 2003-03-17 2008-08-19 Novellus Systems, Inc. Active rinse shield for electrofill chemical bath and method of use
US20070080695A1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-12 Morrell Gary A Testing system and method for a MEMS sensor
CN103353540A (zh) * 2013-06-27 2013-10-16 国家电网公司 一种用于测试光伏汇流箱测量板模块的测试装置
CN103353540B (zh) * 2013-06-27 2016-01-20 国家电网公司 一种用于测试光伏汇流箱测量板模块的测试装置
USD768097S1 (en) * 2015-10-20 2016-10-04 LWE, Inc. Insulator for press pack clamp
CN107894520A (zh) * 2018-01-20 2018-04-10 宣城市飞诚环保科技有限公司 一种电能质量检测装置
CN108398580A (zh) * 2018-01-20 2018-08-14 广州唐太环保科技有限公司 一种改进型电能质量检测装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2658919B1 (fr) 1992-08-28
NO910752D0 (no) 1991-02-26
FI910934A (fi) 1991-08-28
EP0448419A1 (fr) 1991-09-25
JPH04216477A (ja) 1992-08-06
JPH06103332B2 (ja) 1994-12-14
IE910653A1 (en) 1991-09-25
KR910021590A (ko) 1991-12-20
CA2037112A1 (fr) 1991-08-28
PT96892A (pt) 1991-10-31
FR2658919A1 (fr) 1991-08-30
FI910934A0 (fi) 1991-02-26
NO910752L (no) 1991-08-28

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